Readers' comments

Thanks for this amazing resource. I've had a look through the FAQs, but still had this one: can the SONY a230 fire a 5400HS wirelessly, or are the radio signals COMPLETELY incompatible? (this is just for firing, not for TTL or HSS or any other functions)

Michael Hohner answers:

The F.A.Q. list ist pretty clear on this: This flash does not work on the A230 (or any other DSLR) in a useful way, including wireless flash. Ironically, the only wireless feature that still works is the test flash…

I have a couple of more questions. 1. Will this flash (5400 HS)fry my a230 if I use it direct on the hotshoe, and will it fire from the hotshoe? 2. Does anyone make adapters to fit a Minolta flash onto an ISO hotshoe? Thank you.

Michael Hohner answers:

The camera will not be harmed. As indicated in the F.A.Q., the flash will only always fire at full power.

The Minolta FS-1200 adapts the flash to Minolta's earlier version of their ISO-like hotshoe. It might work on a different camera with limitations (no TTL control, etc.)

This may be of interest to others who own the 5400HS flash. There is an adapter board available, which will enable ADI, wireless, and HSS (although not wireless HSS) on Sony DSLRs. I have just this morning successfully installed the mod inside the flash. The operation took about an hour. The adapter board is this one: http://voitzsch.net/index.php/en/flashconv-a-minolta-flash-converter - I have no affiliation with the seller other than being a customer. The mod requires taking the shoe apart and some soldering.

Michael Hohner answers:

But note that after the modifiation the flash will no longer work with analog cameras!

#6: Comment posted by Andrew on December 11th, 2010 - 02:08:52 AM:

This flash does work with with the Sony A200, but only in manual mode. I think it will only fire at full strength with DT lenses, but you can adjust the power from 1/1 down to 1/32. I won't be doing any modifications to mine, as I'm happy enough with the manual-ness of it.

I used 5400HS on A350.
It did worked when I use Manual exposure on A350 and Manual on 5400HS.
I set A350 to 1/60sec and F8, then I set A5400HS to 1/8 or 1/16 fire by pressing TTL-M button (upper left button). You can adjust fire power depending your situation.
It worked very well.

Now, I'm checking zoom indicator on my A350.
5400HS does detect Zoom range, it automatically changes lens distance as I change zooming. I used Tamron 28-75F2.8 Macro lens.
However,the zoom indicator is unstable at 75mm tele-end (28mm to 70mm is good), but it gains control when I press shutter half way and AF worked.
No problem. It does work at Manual setting.
Please use OVF on A350. Live view image becomes dark in this combination.

#8: Comment posted by Nick on December 22nd, 2011 - 02:14:42 PM:

Most of the comments on here are total rubbish. The 5400HS DOES work on Sony A DLSR's. I have tested this myself. What doesn't work is the Wireless. On-camera, these flashes are fine.

Michael Hohner answers:

Depends on your definition of “works”. The flash does fire, and you can adjust power manually. But don't expect automatic flash to give correct exposure.

#9: Comment posted by sam on January 11th, 2012 - 07:49:49 PM:

I was looking at these to use with ebay triggers and I only use manual modes so I should be ok ? Any one else tried this setup?

#10: Comment posted by Arndt on January 12th, 2012 - 09:37:15 PM:

@sam: I can only talk about the 5400xi, but since the 5400HS is its successor, it should work similar.

I run three 5400xi on wireless *RADIO* triggers from ebay (about 30? for 3 receivers and one sender, look for "pt 04 sony"). Camera and flashes are set to manual mode. This works like a (strobist's) dream :-)

Do not run them with optical triggers which are triggered by the camera's flash - the Sony's pre-flash triggers the external flashes far too early. Radio works, though.

Another experience: I had one 5200i. Even though this seems to have the same specs as the 5400xi (almost), it did not synch on speeds faster than 1/50s when fired with the radio triggers (fired too early/late?). On camera, it synched up to 1/160s. The 5400xi flashes, however, synch up to 1/160s even on the wireless triggers.

Has anyone tried a converted flash like this on an SLT? Any problems to report?

#12: Comment posted by Lofote on March 26th, 2012 - 03:02:31 PM:

@Arndt: You can use optical triggers with a Alpha 700/850/900/65/77 camera, since there you can set the internal flash to manual (which will disable the pre-flashes).

#13: Comment posted by Andre on December 24th, 2012 - 03:24:01 PM:

I have a 5400HS and i would like to buy a Sony SLT-A37 or 57.
The Connectors looks identical, but...
http://www.sony-asia.com/support/resources/en_AP/html/Compatibility/DSLR/Flash/konica/5400hs.html

works the modification:
http://voitzsch.net/index.php/en/flashconv-a-minolta-flash-converter ?

Michael Hohner answers:

See the comments above.

#14: Comment posted by Clyde on December 24th, 2012 - 06:04:03 PM:

Hi Michael and thanks for this great web site. The record you keep is more invaluable as time passes. I've been shooting professionally with everything Alpha since the 9000, and still, after owning practically everything, I come here for clarification. Thank you for this site.

One question, that I've searched vehemently for an answer, still eludes me. And it may be important for others considering a recent tech development.

Q. Is the 5400hs fully functional for on camera High Speed Sync in manual mode?

The reason this is important is because of the new Pixel King radio slaves which offer full TTL/HSS support. I use them for my 5600hsD's and they work great. I NEVER use the TTL. I only want the HSS. These slaves treat each flash as if they were mounted directly to camera. So if 5400hs works on camera in manual mode HSS, then they should indeed work with the Pixel Kings off camera. This would be fabulous, for an old strobist like me... www.ctphotographx.com

Everyone talks about wireless TTL function with this or that mod. I don't care about any of that. I just want to know if 5400hs works full HSS on Sony DSLR (a900) when attached to camera hot shoe.

Thank you so much and have a great holiday.

Clyde Thomas

Michael Hohner answers:

I can not tell from the manuals if that combination works. It may be that in HSS mode the flash still needs to make a measurement, even when combined with manual mode. Someone will have to try it.

#15: Comment posted by Clyde on December 26th, 2012 - 08:22:22 PM:

Thanks. I just ordered one and waiting for arrival to find out. I'll let you know.

#16: Comment posted by Aert on March 24th, 2013 - 02:11:10 PM:

Hi Michael, I got a 5400hs from a friend but it only fires at full strength, if I try 1/2 or lower or modelling light it fires a barely perceptible light. Since electronics is one of my hobbies I would like to repair it but I can't find a schematic. Do you have one or know where can I get it?

Michael Hohner answers:

I don't have schematics.

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